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Press Release

ADL To U.N. President: General Assembly Wrong Forum For Film On Arab-Israeli Conflict

New York, NY, March 14, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today objected to the use of the United Nations General Assembly as a venue for the U.S. premiere of "Miral," a motion picture that presents a personal history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

In a letter to Joseph Deiss, President of the U.N. General Assembly, the League said that while it honors and respects the long and valued history of expressing political ideas through works of art, "Our objections are to the venue and sponsorship of this film."

"Miral" presents a personal history of the conflict betweenIsraeland the Palestinians from the perspective of the Palestinian narrative. ADL, which has viewed the film, says the storyline distorts historical facts about Israel in some instances, and in others lacks any context for some of the acts attributed to Israel.

"It is particularly troubling that through the presidency of the General Assembly you have chosen to sponsor and promote a film with a specific political point of view dealing with the history of a member state without providing an opportunity for a balanced presentation of another film which could have offered an alternative perspective for the consideration of members of the GA and other invited guests," wrote Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, in a letter to Mr. Deiss.

"It is particularly unfortunate that the film is scheduled to be shown on the day following the funerals of five Israeli victims who were murdered in a heinous attack in which it was reported that the Palestinian terrorist group Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades has claimed responsibility," he added. "The terrorist murder of five members of the Fogel family is a stark reminder of the truly devastating nature of the conflict and the toll of human lives it has taken."

The League urged the U.N. president to reconsider the screening and to find a more balanced and useful way to engage the General Assembly in helping the parties to resolve the conflict through direct negotiations, "which will enable them to achieve peace and security within two states living side by side."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.